Retort discharging means



Aug; 11, 1931.

c. v.'- M INTIRE RETORT DISCHARGING MEANS Filed Aug. 5, 1925 f x ZIN/VESTOR r ORNEY Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFrcE CHARLES V. MQINTIRE, 01 EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T CONSOLIDATION COAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE RETOR'I' DISCHARGING MEANS Application. filed August 3, 1925.

The general object of the present invention is to provide improved means for discharging solid material from a retort. More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a continuous low temperature coal distillation retort with improved means for discharging the semi-coke or solid residue of the distillation process carried out in the retort. In the operation of a low temperature coal distillation retort, the semicoke formed is normally in a dry andmore or less granular condition, but occasionally is in a semi-plastic or sticky conditionwith a decided tendency to arch in any receptacle or conduit in which it is possible for such arching to occur. My improved retort discharging means are characterized by the provisions made to eliminate arching and to minimize the troubles caused'by arching if the latter occurs, and by the provisions made for preventing the ingress of air into the retort, or the escape therefrom of the retort gases, and by the provisions made for quenching the semi-coke as it is discharged.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the invention,

however, its advantages and specific objects attained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention.

. Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a retort equipped with my improved dis charge provisions;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken similarly to Fig. 1 of a portion of the apparatus therein shown, with parts in different relative position; and

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings I have illustrated the use of my improved retort discharge provisions in connection with a retort A, primarily devised for the low temperature carbonization of coal, and of the type dis- Serial No. 47,827.

closed in my prior Patent No. 1,457,083, granted May 29, 1923. The retort A, as shown, comprises a horizontal retort chamber with a sectional metallic bottom heat ing wall a. Within the retort is an oscillating agitator B, which may advantageously be of the type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,479,827, granted January 8, 1924. The agitator B serves to continuously stir the material treated, and to work the latter through the kiln to the exit end of the latter, where the material passes through a bottom opening A in the retort wall, into the upper end of a vertically disposed discharge chute C which is tapered to give the chute a horizontal cross section increasing from the top to the bottom of the chute. The'lower end C of the chute is convex and shaped to fit against a cylin- I a cylindrical top wall D which fits snugly.

against the chute edge C, and is cut away to form a hopper inlet D as large as the passage through the lower end of the chute C and through which the semi-coke and other material passing from the retort into the chute C is discharged from the latter when the hopper D is in the position shown in Fig. 1. Normally the hopper D is in the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the port D is at one side of the chute C, and the lower end of the latter is closed by an extension D of the hopper top wall D.

Above the walls D and D and radial to the latter, are plate-like parts 1) at the opposite sides of the chute C and formed with bearings for the trunnion pin C The hopper D is "provided with an outlet D which is at the bottom of the hopper chamber when the hopper is in the position shown in Fig. 2, and is normally closed by a valve or cut off member E pivoted on trunnion E carried at opposite sides of the hopper D. Poke holes D are advantageously formed in the sides of the hopper in position to permit of the insertion of a bar or other tool for dislodging the material if arching occurs in the chute C. Each poke hole D is normally closed by a hinged shutter part F.

The hopper D may be counterweighted for manual operation in some cases, but as shown, is moved between the positions shown in Fig. l and Fig. 2 by a motor mechanism G provided with a crank arm G connected by link G to the hopper. ii represents a water supply pipe controlled by a valve H for discharging water onto the hopper wall extension D to provide a water seal for the joint between the lower end C of the chute G and the hopper. HA represents a valve controlled pipe for discharging water under pressure into the lower end of the chute C when desired to quench the semi-coke therein and in the subjacent hopper. Provisions arealso made for discharging water under pressure into the hopper D. The provisions shown for this purpose comprise .a valve controlled water supply valve HB, a pipe section H connected thereto by a swivel joint H a pipe sect-ion I-I connected to the pipe section H by a second swivel joint H and a pipe section H connected to the hopper D at one end and at its opposite end :connected to the pipe section H*- by 'a third swivel joint H In the normal intended mode of operation of the apparatus. disclosed, the semi- .cok-e or other unvolatilized residue of the retort operation, is continuously discharged through the retort outlet A into the upper :end of the chute C. Normally, the mate rial thus falling on the top of the chute -C piles up on the hopper extension 1D. lVhen the material "has thus piled up on the extension D in amount suflicient to make it desirable to discharge material from the chute, the hopper D is moved from the .pOsition shown in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 1. The material previously supported on the hopper extension D then falls onto the hopper except as the material may occasionally arch in the chute. l'rVhen :such arching occurs, 'the material can be discharged by a bar inserted :through a poke hole D The quenching of the material passing through the chute C may be stanted by the discharge of water into the lower end of the chute through the pipe HA and may be completed by the discharge into the hopper D through the pipe HB, or can be wholly carried :out by means of water supplied through one only of'the pipes HA and HE. Normally, I prefer to supply the larger portion, at least, of the quenching water to the hopper D after the latter is moved from the position shown in Fig. '1 :into that shown :in 'Fig. 2. When the quenching operation is completed, the hopper D then in the position shown in Fig. 2, is discharged by moving the valve E to open the outlet D, whereupon the quenched semi-coke or other material runs out of the hopper, ordinarily into a car or other receptacle (not shown) heneath the quenching hopper. The water supplied by the pipe H and accumulating above the hopper wall portion D when the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. '2, is discharged into the hopper and assists in quenching the material entering the hopper when the latter is moved into the position shown in Fig. 1. The hopper inlet opening D is closed when the hopper is in the position shown in Fig. 2 by the projection C of the chute .C. The form and relative arrangement of the hopper chute prevent free communication between the atmosphere and the interiors of the chute and hopper in any position of the latter...

The tendency of the material to arch in the chute G is minimized, of course, the fact that the latter increases in horizontal cross section from top to bottom. The chute and quenching hop-per parts can advantage ously be made of steel, and are desirably simple in form, and do not require caueliul workmanship for -their initial production, or much care or attention to maintain them in operative condition notwithstanding the rather severe operating conditions to which the apparatus is subjected. The fact that the joint between the lower end of the :chute and the hopper is water sealed obviously makes it unnecessary to provide close fitting joints between the chute and hopper. As already indicated, the invention .is of especial utility for use in the low temperature carbonization of coal, particularly as .under unfavorable opera-ting conditions the nraterial discharged into the chute may he .in .a i

sticky .or semi-molten condition.

Vilhile in accordance with the provisions otthe statutes, 1 have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment .od my invention now known to me, it will he apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as .set ifor-th Lin the appended claims and that in some cases certain features of .my invention may be used .to advantage without .a corresponding use of other features.

Having now -.described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure Letters Patent, is: V

1. The combination with a retort structure having a discharge chute depending therefrom, of a hopper having an upper inlet opening and a lower valved outlet opening, a pivotal connection between said chute and hopper permitting movement ;of the latter into and out of the position .in which the hopper inlet opening communicates with said chute, and said chute and hopper having cooperating provisions preventing communication between the atmosphere and the interiors of said chute and hopper through the inlet opening of the latter in all positions of the hopper.

2. The combination with a retort structure having a discharge chute depending therefrom, of a hopper having an upper inlet opening and a lower valved outlet opening, a pivotal connection between said chute and hopper permitting movement of the latter into and out of the position in which the hopper inlet opening communicates with the lower end of saidchute, said hopper having a portion closing the lower end of said chute when the hopper is out of said position, and means providing a water seal for the joint between the chute and the hopper when the latter is out of said position.

3. The combination with a retort structure having a discharge chute depending therefrom, of a hopper having an upper inlet opening and a lower valved outlet opening, a pivotal connection between said chute and hopper permitting the latter to be moved into and out of the position in which said inlet opening communicates with the lower end of said chute, said hopper being formed with a curved portion coaxial with said connection and closing the lower end of said chute when the hopper is out of said position, and said chute being provided with a curved lateral extension coaxial with said connection and closing the hopper inlet opening when the latter is out of said position.

4. The combination with a retort structure having a discharge chute depending therefrom, of a hopper having an upper inlet opening and a lower valved outlet, a pivotal connection between said chute and hopper permitting the latter to be moved into and out of a position in which said inlet opening communicates with the lower end of said chute, and means for supplying quenching water to said hopper in various positions of the latter.

5. The combination with a retort structure having a discharge chute depending therefrom, of a hopper having an upper inlet opening and a lower valved outlet, a pivotal connection between said chute and hopper permitting the latter to be moved into and out of a position in which said inlet opening communicates with the lower end of said chute, a flexible pipe connection to said hopper, and means for supplying quenching water thereto in various positions of the hopper.

6. The combination with a retort structure having a discharge chute depending therefrom, of a hopper having an upper inlet opening and a lower valved outlet opening, a pivotal connection between said chute and hopper permitting the latter to be moved into and out of the position in which said inlet opening communicates with the lower end of said chute, said chute and hopper having cooperating joint forming portions coaxial with said connection and including a portion closing the lower end of said chute when the hopper is out of said 7 position, and a lateral chute extension closing the hopper inlet opening when the latter is out of said position.

7. The combination with a retort structure having a discharge chute depending therefrom, said chute increasing in horizontal cross-section from top to bottom, of a 

